“I Do Not Own These Assets, They Belong to My Relatives” – Emefiele Denies Ownership of Forfeited Properties

Former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Godwin Emefiele, has denied ownership of funds and properties recently forfeited to the federal government. The Federal High Court in Lagos, presided over by Justice Yellim Bogoro, ordered the final forfeiture of $4.7 million, N830 million, and several properties allegedly linked to Emefiele.

In response, Emefiele released a statement on Friday through his legal representative, Olawale Fapohunda, distancing himself and his immediate family from the assets. According to the statement, some of the assets belong to his relatives, and he urged the public to refrain from linking them to him unfairly.

Emefiele highlighted that the same court had previously lifted an interim forfeiture order on these assets before Justice Bogoro’s ruling. The statement specifically mentioned that DeepBlue Energy Limited, one of the entities involved, was established in 2009 and is owned by a relative of Emefiele, not by him personally.

The legal team emphasized that neither Emefiele nor any immediate family member owns the forfeited properties. They also noted that Justice Aneke of the same Federal High Court had earlier discharged an interim forfeiture order on these assets.

Emefiele’s representatives called on stakeholders and the public to recognize this clarification and cease associating the assets with him.